THE hunt is on for the owner of a bag, containing baby cards and gifts as well as a clutch of birthday presents, after it was found in central Swindon.

The bag was found on Wednesday at about 12.30pm at the site of the old canal behind Westcott Place.

Amanda Werrell, 38, of Newburn Crescent, stumbled across it after dropping her son off at playgroup.

"It was sat on the floor next to a bollard," she said.

"I think people might have thought it was just an empty bag and that's why no one had noticed it before me.

"I peeked inside and saw all these things, brought it home and contacted the Adver so hopefully I can find who it belongs to.

"I think the gentleman who it might belong to probably lives nearby and walked home.

"He may have been having a drink around the area, as it was his birthday, and probably just forgot it there.

"There are quite a few items in there.

"There's a birthday card addressed to Matt, and quite a few people have signed it so I guess it might be from work colleagues.

"It's one of those cardboard gift bags and has baby girl' written on the outside.

"It's also got a dress, a cardigan, a soft toy, a dolly and a blanket inside.

"There are four cards in there. One is the birthday card, and the other three are addressed to the family for the baby.

"One says, to Lucy, Matt and Josie from Jen, Chris and Thomas and it's congratulating them on the safe arrival of Bella.

"The second one is to Matt and Lucy and it's from Lara, Simon and Jacob and the third card is just addressed to the Ryder family and has a bunch of names on it.

"The bag also has Virgin Experience flying lesson vouchers inside.

"I am sure the person who has lost it would really want these gifts back, so it would be great if someone came forward to collect it."

This isn't the first time the Advertiser has appealed for information about items or helped return lost objects to their owners.

After a burglar was arrested in April a camera memory card was found with family pictures and an appeal was put out for its owners to come forward.

Another appeal was made in early March when a family's laptop computer and digital camera containing important work and precious memories were stolen.

And a memory card found in November last year was returned to the family to whom it belonged in March this year.

An envelope with money found in April was also returned to its owner.

If the bag of gifts belongs to you, or you know who the owner might be, we would like to hear from you.

Call the Adver's newsroom on 01793501794 or e-mail abhargava@swindonadvertiser.co.uk.